General Election 2010: Gordon Brown to fight Tories with tea parties

Gordon Brown is planning to woo voters in their own living rooms over a cup of
tea, it was reported.

Mr Brown hopes that through intimate, informal chats with well-respected local people he can spread his messages through communities whilst coming across a normal, down-to-earth person.

Gordon Brown sits with a cup of tea.

The sofa-based approach to winning over voters is in stark contrast to Barack Obama's internet-based election campaign and Tony Blair's "battle bus", but Labour strategists believe it will suit his character.

It is also hoped that, given the state of the nation's finances, his no-frills approach will seem more appropriate than the potential glamour of the Conservative campaign.

A Labour insider told The Guardian: "We think it is a format that will work for Gordon.

"We have to try something different in the face of public attitude to all politicians. Sometimes Gordon is going to need an hour to bring people over in a way in which he cannot in five minutes."